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Antibiotic resistance is considered a widespread problem with global health implications, leading to increased patient morbidity and impacting the selection of effective antibiotics, consequently influencing patient recovery. This study aimed to assess antibiogram resistance patterns of bacterial records at the Islamic Hospital in Jordan using a retrospective study during the period 2020-2022. A total of 9369 samples obtained from different patients were cultured. Data were processed and analyzed with SPSS v.23.0. The results showed that 2841 (30.3%) samples were positive for bacterial infections. Microbial profiles of positive samples indicated the highest proportion for Escherichia coli, 39%, followed by Klebsiella pneumoniae 12% were the most frequent Gram-negative bacterial isolates, whereas Staphylococcus aureus 13% and Streptococcus pneumoniae 4% were the most common Gram-positive bacterial isolates. Interestingly, multidrug-resistant bacteria comprised 61.7% of the isolates. The percentage of multi-drug resistance in isolates of Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, and Klebsiella pneumoniae was 68.7%, 73.1%, and 72%, respectively. Escherichia coli was most resistant to ampicillin (89%) and most sensitive to imipenem (100%). Klebsiella pneumoniae showed a 100% sensitivity to meropenem but 49% resistance to ceftriaxone. Pseudomonas aeruginosa was the most sensitive to amikacin and colistin (86% and 100%, respectively). Staphylococcus aureus isolates have resistance rates of 78% for ciprofloxacin, 35.6% for clindamycin and an overall resistance rate of 68.7%. These findings indicate multiple resistance for isolated bacteria. Therefore, antimicrobial resistance should be monitored continuously, and patients should be treated based on anti-microbial susceptibility tests. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Breast cancer is a cancerous growth impacting approximately 2.26 million women globally, The World Health Organization reports that it is thought to be the tumor in women that is diagnosed the most commonly. Objective: Examining any possible correlation between serum lipid concentrations and the cancer of the breast in a community sample of Jordanian women is the primary goal of the current investigation. Methods: In this study 122 subjects were included, patient group consists of 94 women diagnosed breast cancer in oncology clinics in Jordan, where control group consists of 28 healthy women. Samples of Venous blood were collected from participant’s subjects, after centrifugation obtained serum was used for assessment of Triglycerides, total cholesterol, and HDL –cholesterol levels using fully automated analyzer for biochemistry. The Fried Wald equation was applied for calculating serum concentrations of LDL-Cholesterol Results: After comparison with control group, a strong positive significant notable elevation was observed in the BMI values of the breast cancer patients. (28.8 ± 3.9 vs. 25.2 ± 4.3 kg/m2, p >0.005). The patient group’s serum levels of total cholesterol and triglycerides were observed to be considerably higher than those of the control group. (230.7 ± 86.9 vs. 177.6 ± 44.5 mg/dL, p >0.005) and (209.4 ± 95.9 vs. 175.7 ± 45.6 mg/dL, p >0.005) respectively. On other hand, the patients’ group’s blood LDL-cholesterol levels were found to be higher (122.8 ± 25.5 vs. 115.9 ± 26.9mg/dL, p >0.005). There was no notable alteration in Serum HDL-Cholesterol levels among the two group. Conclusion: The current study’s results indicate a clear correlation between increased body mass index (BMI), altered lipid profiles, and an increasing of risk of breast cancer in women living in Jordan. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To assess the relationship between interleukin-6 (IL-6) expression and the protective effect of curcumin and cacao extract on hepatotoxicity caused by ribociclib. Method: Sixty adult male albino rats (9 - 10 weeks old) were utilized in this experiment. The rats were separated into six groups (n = 10 each). Group 1 (control) rats received 2 mL of normal saline daily. Group 2 rats were administered 5 mg/kg ribociclib and group 3 rats received 5 mg/kg ribociclib with a cacao dose of 200 mg/kg daily. Group 4 rats were administered 5 mg/kg ribociclib treated with curcumin (200 mg/kg) daily. Groups 5 and 6 were administered cacao and curcumin doses of 200 mg/kg daily. All rats were sacrificed and liver immunohistochemical and histological examinations were performed. Result: The findings demonstrated that ribociclib administration caused liver damage and morphological changes at a histological level in liver tissue. The immunohistochemical investigation revealed that IL-6 levels were significantly increased in group 2 and control group (p < 0.05). Furthermore, co-administration of curcumin and cacao with ribociclib suppressed the levels of IL-6 expression in the liver tissue of rats compared to control group 1. Conclusion: Co-administration of curcumin and cacao protects the liver against ribociclib-induced liver damage. It is necessary to determine the effect of long-term administration of these extracts on the functions of some organs such as the liver and kidney. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Spatial analysis was used to analyze the environmental quality of soil in the Al-Zarqa region in order to identify sources and estimate heavy metal concentrations, which aided in the assessment of soil quality and heavy metal pollution. The primary goal of this study was to assess the environmental impact of heavy metal pollutants in the Al-Zarqa region. To assess pollution levels, the concentrations of Cu, Mn, Cd, and Pb were measured in surface soil (sediment) samples collected from Khirbet al-Samra. A total of sixteen samples were analyzed. The elevated levels of Cu and Cd are primarily attributed to various sources such as the weathering of nearby rock formations and the release of agricultural waste materials. An evaluation of sediment contamination was conducted using pollution indicators including Geo-accumulation index (Igeo), enrichment factor (EF), and pollution load index (PLI). Spatial distribution analysis was used to determine the distribution pattern of each metal. The results revealed that metal concentrations (Cu, Pb, and Mn) are higher, while Cd concentrations are lower than the maximum allowed limits. The results from the EF analysis indicated elevated concentrations of Cu and Cd in the sampled area. In terms of the Igeo analysis of Khirbet al-Samra sediments, it was found that the concentrations of Pb, Cu, and Mn are within safe levels and relatively unaffected by human activities, whereas the concentrations of Cd exceed the mean values, suggesting a higher level of contamination specifically for cadmium. The potential sources of heavy metals in the investigated area were identified using factor analysis, and the geographical distribution of heavy metals was shown using spatial distribution. The examination of correlation coefficients revealed diverse relationships between the different parameters, depending on the source of input for each metal. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Smoking is a severe health problem because it impacts the health of individuals through direct impacts on the cardiovascular system. Study Objective: The present study aimed to investigate the expression of nitric oxide synthase isoforms in the heart of smoking rats. Methodology: A total of 20 albino male rats were randomly assigned into two groups, the control group (N=10) and the smoking group (N=10). Smoking group rats were exposed to smoking using the smoking box for one month. Control group rats were exposed to fresh air. At the end of the experiment, all animals were terminated using ether. The heart tissues of all animals were taken and fixed in 10% formalin. Heart tissues were further processed and stained for nitric oxide synthase isoforms, Inducible Nitric Oxide Synthase (iNOS), Endothelial Nitric Oxide Synthase (eNOS), and Neuronal Nitric Oxide Synthase (nNOS) using immunohistochemistry (Indirect immunoperoxidase enyme). The expression of NOS isoforms was calculated using Adobe Photoshop version 7.2. Antibody-stained section micrographs were analyzed using pixels. The pixels revealed the presence of the biomarker (brown) and residual tissue (blue). The relationships between the groups were computed by independent T-test. Significance was considered if p-value 0.05. Results: The results showed that the expression of iNOS was significantly upregulated in the smoking group compared with the control group (p=0.003). The expression of eNOS was significantly downregulated in the smoking group compared with the control group (p=0.01). The expression of nNOS was not significantly varied among study groups (p=0.058). Conclusion: This study showed that smoking negative impacts of smoking on the heart are mediated by variations in the expression of NOS isoforms, a matter that bears potential therapeutic strategies to overcome smoking outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Honey has been used as a nutritional diet and traditional medicine due to its antimicrobial and antioxidant properties. This study aims to evaluate the hepatoprotective potential of honey against the hepatoxic effect of cigarette and waterpipe tobacco smoking in rats. Honey was purchased from the local market. A daily dose of 1.2 g/kg of honey was administered orally to 48 male Wistar rats, and a digital smoking device was used to expose rats to waterpipe and cigarette tobacco smoke before dissection. The enzymatic activities of the liver using a serum sample were quantified, and liver tissue was isolated and prepared for light microscopy for histopathological examination. The hepatoprotective effect of honey was studied in rats in combination with cigarette and waterpipe smoking. The current investigation demonstrates that honey exhibits a substantial protective effect on liver tissue in rats exposed to cigarette and waterpipe smoking. Based on the study findings, honey exhibits a hepatoprotective effect. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recent technological developments and methodological advances in GC-MS have become a common tool for investigating the quantity, quality, and chemical diversity of plant secondary metabolites. The flower parts of Asphodelus aestivus Brot. were studied, leading to the isolation and identification of various secondary metabolites, primarily essential oils: alcohol (26.9%); aldehyde (23%); alkanes, acetate derivatives, and aliphatic derivatives (19.2%); ketones (7.7%); and epoxides (3.8%). The principal oil components were 18.79% vetocitral C (trans), 17.27% hexadecyl acetate, 14.5% hexanal (2E), and 9.6% sabinene hydrate (trans). The identification of oil components was performed by matching their spectra with the mass spectra data bank. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Glycyrrhiza glabra L. has been used in treating various medical conditions, including stomach disorders such as flatulence and dyspepsia. Its anti-ulcer activity has been reported to be conflicting. The present study aims to evaluate the protective effects of G. glabra extract on indomethacin-induced gastritis and other gastrointestinal toxicities in rats. Thirty Wistar rats were used in the study and divided into three groups, ten rats in each group. Group I (Control) had free access to standard rat food and water; Group II (Test) had indomethacin administered orally at a dose of 30 mg/kg, given daily; Group III (Intervention) had an ethanol extract of G. glabra administered at 200 mg/kg body weight suspended in distilled water. G. glabra was collected locally in Egypt. The gastroprotective effect of the extract was studied in rats in combination with indomethacin. The present study shows that G. glabra extract significantly protects the stomach mucosa against indomethacin-induced gastritis in rats, where the inflammation grade caused by a combination of extract of G. glabra and indomethacin in the intervention group was less than that of the test group with indomethacin alone (p < 0.01). However, the inflammation grade of gastric mucosa in the intervention group was insignificant compared to the control group (p > 0.01). Furthermore, G. glabra extract significantly increases gastric pH, decreases the stomach’s secretion volume and total acidity, and enhances serum iron, hemoglobulin, and vitamin B12 levels (p ≤ 0.05). Based on the results of this study, it was concluded that G. glabra exerted a gastric protective effect. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The novel coronavirus outbreak (COVID-19) presented an opportunity to conduct an online survey to research the relationships between changes in body weight, physical activity and lifestyle during an unprecedented occurrence of forced isolation or quarantine among the population of Jadara University. We distributed an electronic questionnaire (cross-sectional) in Jadara University, Jordan, between March and May 2020, where a total of 200 students were approached (43.8% males and 56.2% females). Of 200 questionnaires returned, during the period of semi-lockdown, both females and males increased body weight significantly (p<0.05). Changes in body weight are inversely correlated with changes in the number of meals and increased stress during the quarantine. Quarantine carries some long-term effects on the rate of food intake and sleeping also affects the total body weight. With the prolonged quarantine, these figures are subject to increase consequently and the drawback on health status may drop to a considerably large percentage in the community. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To determine the safety, effectiveness, and post-vaccination side effects of inactivated virus (Sinopharm) and mRNA (Pfizer/BioNTech's) vaccines which are the most frequently used in Jordan. The study focuses on students' experiences of adverse reactions and symptoms after immunization. Method: The cross-sectional survey included 3,903 students at Al-Balqa Applied University. Questionnaires on sociodemographic factors, symptoms, and immunization history were administered over the Internet. Distinct variations were identified by statistical analysis. Results: Most university students (43.6 %) learned about COVID-19 vaccination from social media. The most significant health factor among participants was smoking, with 29.8 % having a history of COVID-19 infection. It was evident that 38.7 % of mRNA-vaccinated people developed moderate systematic side effects. Furthermore, 2.5 % of mRNA-vaccinated participants developed serious side effects that required hospitalization. The most frequently used post-vaccination medications were antipyretics (63.7 %), muscle relaxants (15.6 %), and vitamins (5.1 %) for both vaccines. Conclusion: This study reveals that both vaccine types are effective in preventing symptomatic infections. SinoPharm vaccine has mild and non-life-threatening side effects compared to Pfizer vaccine. The risk of hospitalization for Pfizer recipients is related to their health status and the mechanism of action of nanoparticle-coated mRNA, which is still unclear. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Achalasia is uncommon in pediatrics and typically presents after five years of age. It is often managed medically, endoscopically, or surgically such as myectomy. This case highlights an exceptionally rare occurrence of achalasia at the age of eight weeks, successfully treated with endoscopic CRE® balloon dilatation, providing prompt relief of symptoms. From birth, this full-term infant experienced persistent vomiting and choking, coupled with suboptimal weight gain and unresponsiveness to anti-reflux measures. Diagnostic assessments revealed notable findings a barium meal demonstrated contrast pooling in the esophagus with distal rat tail narrowing, and esophageal manometry identified elevated pressure at the lower esophageal sphincter (LES) and inadequate esophageal contractions consistent with the diagnosis of achalasia. The infant underwent two sessions of esophageal CRE® balloon dilatation under fluoroscopy 10 days apart. Possible associated syndromes were ruled out. No further interventions were needed for a follow-up duration of one year. The literature review reveals several modalities for treating achalasia in adults and older children, but there is a scarcity of data on younger children and infants. In this article, we reviewed current available evidence regarding treatment modalities and the success rate. There is an obvious lack of recommendations for children, particularly at younger ages, and the outcome is various given the rarity of this condition and the limited experience., Competing Interests: Human subjects: Consent was obtained or waived by all participants in this study. issued approval -. Conflicts of interest: In compliance with the ICMJE uniform disclosure form, all authors declare the following: Payment/services info: All authors have declared that no financial support was received from any organization for the submitted work. Financial relationships: All authors have declared that they have no financial relationships at present or within the previous three years with any organizations that might have an interest in the submitted work. Other relationships: All authors have declared that there are no other relationships or activities that could appear to have influenced the submitted work., (Copyright © 2024, Alsarhan et al.)